0Wakati alipokuwa akifukiza uvumba umati mkubwa wa watu walikuwa nje wakiomba. wakitumia maelezo ya wale wal ioshuhudia mambo haya kwa macho yao na wale waliotabiri habari hizo. Lakini, mimi pia, nimezichunguza habari hizi kuanzia mwanzo. Nami nimeona ni vema nikuandikie kwa mpango, muhtasari huu, ili upate kuwa na hakika ya mambo yote uliyofundishwa.

Utabiri Kuhusu Yohana Mbatizaji

Historia ya mambo haya ilianzia katika jamaa ya kuhani mmoja Myahudi aliyeitwa Zakaria. Yeye aliishi wakati Herode ali pokuwa mfalme wa Yudea na alihudumu katika kikundi cha ukuhani cha Abia. Mkewe Zakaria aliitwa Elizabeti naye alikuwa wa ukoo wa kuhani Aroni. Zakaria na Elizabeti walikuwa watu wenye kumcha Mungu, wakitii amri zake zote na kutimiza maagizo yake yote kika milifu. Lakini hawakuwa na watoto, maana Elizabeti alikuwa tasa; na wote wawili walishapita umri wa kuzaa. 8-9 Siku moja, kikundi cha Zakaria kilikuwa na zamu Hekaluni na Zakaria alikuwa anafanya huduma yake ya ukuhani kwa Mungu. Walipopiga kura, kama ilivyokuwa desturi, ili wamchague atakayeingia kufukiza uvumba madhabahuni, Zakaria alichaguliwa. 11 Ghafla, malaika wa Bwana akamtokea Zakaria. Akasimama upande wa kulia wa madhabahu ya kufukizia uvumba. 12 Zakaria alipomwona huyo mal aika alishtuka akajawa na hofu.

13 Lakini malaika akamwambia, “Usiogope, Zakaria! Kwa maana Mungu amesikia maombi yako, na mkeo Elizabeti atakuzalia mtoto wa kiume, na jina lake utamwita Yohana. 14 Nawe utakuwa na furaha kubwa moyoni wakati huo na watu wengi watashangilia kuzaliwa kwake. 15 Kwa sababu atakuwa mkuu mbele za Bwana, hataonja divai wala kinywaji cho chote cha kulevya; atajazwa Roho Mtakatifu hata kabla ya kuzaliwa kwake. 16 Naye atawavuta Wayahudi wengi warudi kwa Bwana, Mungu wao. 17 Yeye atamtangulia Bwana akiongozwa na Roho na nguvu ya nabii Eliya. Atawapatanisha akina baba na watoto wao. Atawarejesha waasi katika njia ya wenye haki na kuandaa watu wa Bwana kwa ajili ya kuja kwake.” 18 Zakaria akamwambia mal aika, “Jambo hilo linawezekanaje? Mimi ni mzee na mke wangu pia ana umri mkubwa!” 19 Malaika akamjibu, akamwambia, “Mimi ni Gabrieli, nisimamaye mbele za Mungu. Yeye ndiye aliyenituma kwako nikuambie habari hizi njema. 20 Sikiliza! Kwa sababu huku niamini, utakuwa bubu, hutaweza kusema mpaka maneno yangu yataka pothibitishwa wakati mtoto huyo atakapozaliwa.” 21 Wakati mambo haya yakitokea mle Hekaluni, watu waliokuwa nje wakimngojea Zakaria walikuwa wakishangaa kwa nini alikawia kutoka. 22 Hati maye alipotoka hakuweza kusema nao. Wakatambua ya kuwa ameona maono ndani ya Hekalu. Kwa kuwa alikuwa bubu, akawaashiria kwa mikono. 23 Muda wake wa zamu Hekaluni ulipomalizika, akarudi nyumbani kwake. 24 Kisha baada ya muda si mrefu, Elizabeti mkewe alipata mimba, naye akajificha kwa miezi mitano akisema: 25 “Bwana amekuwa mwema kwangu. Maana ameniondolea aibu yangu mbele za watu.”

Kuzaliwa Kwa Yesu Kwatabiriwa

26 Miezi sita baada ya Elizabeti kupata mimba, Mungu alim tuma malaika Gabrieli aende katika mji wa Nazareti, ulioko Gali laya, 27 kwa msichana bikira aliyeitwa Mariamu. Yeye alikuwa ameposwa na mtu mmoja aliyeitwa Yusufu, wa ukoo wa Mfalme Daudi.

28 Malaika Gabrieli alimtokea Mariamu, akamwambia: “Sal aamu, ewe binti uliyebarikiwa, Bwana yu pamoja nawe!”

29 Mariamu alifadhaishwa sana na maneno haya, akajiuliza moyoni, maana ya salamu hizi ni nini. 30 Ndipo malaika akamwam bia, “Usiogope, Mariamu, Mungu amependezwa nawe. 31 Sikiliza, utapata mimba, nawe utazaa mtoto wa kiume; na utamwita jina lake Yesu. 32 Mtoto huyo atakuwa mkuu na ataitwa Mwana wa Aliye Juu. Na Bwana Mungu atampa kiti cha enzi cha Mfalme Daudi, baba yake. 33 Atatawala juu ya nyumba ya Yakobo daima; na ufalme wake hau takuwa na mwisho!”

34 Mariamu akamwuliza malaika, “Lakini, nitapataje mimba, na mimi ni bikira?” 35 Malaika akamjibu, “Roho Mtakatifu ata kujilia na nguvu za Mungu zitakufunika kama kivuli, na kwa hiyo mtoto atakayezaliwa atakuwa mtakatifu na ataitwa Mwana wa Mungu. 36 Tena, miezi sita iliyopita binamu yako Elizabeti, aliyeitwa tasa, amepata mimba ingawa ni mzee sana. 37 Kwa maana kwa Mungu hakuna lisilo wezekana.”

38 Mariamu akasema, “Mimi ni mtumishi wa Bwana. Na iwe kwangu kama ulivyosema.’ ’ Kisha malaika akaondoka.

Mariamu Aenda Kumtembelea Elizabeti

39 , 40 Baada ya siku chache, Mariamu aliharakisha kwenda mji mmoja katika milima ya Yudea. Akaingia nyumbani kwa Zakaria akamsalimu Elizabeti. 41 Naye aliposikia salaamu za Mariamu, mtoto aliyekuwa tumboni mwake aliruka. Elizabeti akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu, 42 akasema kwa sauti kubwa: “Umebarikiwa wewe zaidi ya wanawake wengine wote, naye mtoto utakayemzaa amebari kiwa. 43 Sikustahili heshima hii ya kutembelewa na mama wa Bwana wangu! 44 Mara tu niliposikia salaamu zako, mtoto aliyeko tum boni mwangu aliruka kwa furaha. 45 Wewe umebarikiwa kwa kuwa uliamini kwamba Bwana atatimiza yale aliyokuambia.” 46 Mariamu akasema: “Namtukuza Bwana, 47 na roho yangu inamfurahia Mungu Mwokozi wangu. 48 Kwa kuwa ameutambua unyonge wa mtumishi wake. Tangu sasa vizazi vyote wataniita niliyebarikiwa. 49 Kwa maana, yeye Mwenye Uwezo, amenitendea mambo ya ajabu! Jina lake ni taka tifu. 50 Rehema zake hudumu vizazi hata vizazi kwao wamchao. 51 Kwa mkono wake ametenda mambo makuu. Wenye kiburi mioyoni mwao amewatawanya. 52 Amewaangusha wafalme kutoka katika viti vyao vya enzi na kuwainua wanyonge. 53 Amewashibisha wenye njaa kwa vitu vizuri na matajiri amewafukuza mikono mitupu. 54 Amem saidia mtumishi wake Israeli, akiikumbuka rehema yake, 55 kama alivyowaahidi baba zetu Ibrahimu na uzao wake daima.” 56 Mar iamu akakaa na Elizabeti karibu miezi mitatu, kisha akarudi nyum bani kwake.

Kuzaliwa Kwa Yohana Mbatizaji

57 Ikawa siku za kujifungua kwake Elizabeti zilipotimia, alizaa mtoto wa kiume . 58 Habari zikawafikia majirani na jamaa jinsi Bwana alivyomfanyia rehema kuu. Nao wakafurahi pamoja naye. 59 Mtoto alipokuwa na umri wa siku nane, watu wakaja kuhudhuria tohara yake. Wote wakataka wampe yule mtoto jina la Zakaria, yaani jina la baba yake. 60 Lakini mama yake akakataa na kusema, “La si hilo. Jina lake litakuwa Yohana.” 61 Wakamjibu, “Mbona hakuna mtu katika jamaa yako mwenye jina kama hilo?” 62 Basi wakaamua kumwuliza Zakaria kwa ishara kwamba yeye angependa mtoto aitwe nani. 63 Akaomba mahali pa kuandikia, naye akaandika: “Jina lake ni Yohana.” Watu wote wakastaajabu. 64 Papo hapo uwezo wa kusema ukamrudia Zakaria naye akaanza kumsifu Mungu. 65 Watu wote walioshuhudia jambo hili wakastaajabu mno, na habari hii ikaenea sehemu zote za wilaya ile ya Yudea. 66 Na kila aliyezisikia habari hizi aliwaza moyoni: “Je, mtoto huyu atakuwa mtu wa namna gani?” Maana, hakika mkono wa Bwana ulikuwa pamoja naye.

Utabiri Wa Zakaria

67 Zakaria, baba yake, akajazwa na Roho Mtakatifu, naye akata biri akisema: 68 “Atukuzwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, kwa kuwa amewajia watu wake ili awakomboe. 69 Naye ametusimamishia nguvu ya wokovu katika ukoo wa Daudi mtumishi wake; 70 kama alivy oahidi kwa vinywa vya manabii wake watakatifu tangu zamani: 71 kwamba atatuokoa na maadui zetu na kututoa kutoka katika mikono ya wote watuchukiao. 72 Aliahidi ataonyesha rehema kwa baba zetu na kukumbuka agano lake takatifu 73 aliloagana na baba yetu Ibrahimu: 74 kutuokoa kutoka katika mikono ya adui zetu na kutuwezesha kumtumikia pasipo woga, 75 katika utakatifu na haki mbele zake, siku zetu zote. 76 Na wewe mwanangu, utaitwa nabii wa Aliye Juu, kwa kuwa utamtangulia Bwana na kumwandalia njia; 77 na kuwafahamisha watu wake juu ya wokovu utakaopatikana kwa kusamehewa dhambi zao, 78 kwa ajili ya wingi wa rehema za Mungu wetu. Nuru ya jua itatujia kutoka mbinguni na 79 kuwaangazia wote waishio katika giza na katika uvuli wa mauti na kuiongoza miguu yetu katika njia ya amani.” 80 Yule mtoto akakua na kuko maa kiroho; akaishi nyikani hadi alipoanza kuwahubiria Waisraeli hadharani.

Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,

Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;

It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.

53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

54 He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.

60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.

62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.

63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.

64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.

65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.

66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.